“We have named her Destiny,” Ral said softly. His gaze fixed lovingly on his wife.

“We thought it was fitting for our child.”

Berrr released Shanna’s hand to move slowly to his son’s side to stare down at the baby. He only hesitated for a second before he reached for the baby with both hands to very gently lift the small bundle into his arms, grinning down at the scrunched-up face.

Shanna moved a little closer, seeing a newborn baby with a lot of shocking black hair, and found herself smiling. The sight of Berrr holding his grandchild in his arms was amazing to her. He was such a bad-ass-looking guy that it was almost weird to see such a small baby in his arms, but very touching.

“She is beautiful,” Berrr said softly. “Welcome to life, little one. I am your second father and I will always protect you and watch out for you.” Shanna cocked her head, feeling confused.

Ariel laughed. “They don’t say grandparents or grandchildren. They say second child because they are a child of their child and a second father means the father of the father.”

“Thanks.” Shanna shot a grateful look to Ariel.

Nodding, Ariel chuckled. “It sounds kind of funny, huh?” Ral frowned at his wife. “Why does it sound funny?” Ariel reached over and took his hand. “The closest translation to a second father on Earth would be if I left you and lived with another warrior, which would make him the second father of your child.”

Ral growled. “You would never leave me for another warrior.” Laughing, she tugged him closer. “Damn straight. Never.” Shanna pulled her focus away from the tender moment as the bigger Zorn guy leaned over to plant a kiss on his wife’s lips. Shanna looked up at Berrr and caught him 84

Berrr’s Vow

staring down at his granddaughter with a really sad expression. He seemed to sense her concentration on him and turned his head to meet her gaze.

“You still look way too young to be a second father, Berrr. Don’t let it depress you.” Berrr shook his head. “I am very honored to be old enough to be a second father.” His sad gaze returned to the baby he held. “I am mourning that I will never know this again, to hold my own child, to feel the joy of bringing life into this world.” 

Chapter Nine

Berrr wants to have more children. Shanna eyed him across the table where they ate in a large dining room hours later, ignoring the angry stares of six other women at the round table with them. His house helpers hated her, she knew it, and she was purposely not looking at them by keeping her attention solely on Berrr.

The half human-half Zorn baby had been cute as hell and Berrr had insisted that she hold little Destiny. It had affected Shanna more than she wanted to admit as she’d held the little bundle of cuteness. She’d always wanted to have a baby but she’d never had a stable enough relationship to give it a shot. The one and only time she’d been married it had been rocky right from the start and giving it more time had just shown her how her marriage couldn’t last.

Berrr was bound, technically, so he couldn’t have more children. It was against Zorn law to have children unless the couple was bound together. The large Zorn warrior had been silent, moody and depressed since they left the medical center.

Kolo, the black-haired, dark-eyed house helper, cleared her throat. “You must be so proud to have a second child, Hyvin. Perhaps you would allow us to go visit Argis Ral and his bound to meet their offspring.”

Nodding, Berrr finished his dinner. “Whatever you wish. I am sure that Ral and Ariel will welcome the company. She must stay at medical for many days to heal.” Ovoly took a deep breath. “It would be our honor, Hyvin. We will represent you proudly and take gifts fitting of your second child. We will go first thing in the morning so we are back in time to prepare for your guests.” Ovoly’s eyes flashed to Shanna, narrowing. “Of course we will take Shanna with us so she may represent you proudly as well.”

Dread hit Shanna fast and hard at the idea of going anywhere with the house helpers. They’d probably throw her from the moving vehicle. “That’s all right. I got to hold the baby today so I’ll just stay here.”

“Don’t be thoughtless,” a blonde house helper said softly, her bright green eyes glowing with malice. “We insist that you go with us. As Hyvin’s house lead you must be present to show his respect properly.”

Berrr threw down his napkin, his gaze going to Shanna as he stood. “You will go with them, Shanna. It will get you out of the house and you will enjoy shopping.” His attention turned to Ovoly. “While you are at the market I want you to help Shanna find clothing more fitting to her human tastes.” His gaze paused on Shanna. “I have to make some contacts with a few warriors regarding tomorrow so I will meet you in our room in a few hours.”

She watched him leave the room and knew she was in a world of shit. The man was clueless when it came to how his house helpers hated her. She took a deep breath, tensing as her attention turned to Ovoly, knowing the woman was the head of this vicious circle. Ovoly was glaring at her.

“You did not do as I ordered you, human. Hyvin has not invited us back to his bed.

Were my orders not clear enough?”

Slowly standing, Shanna glared at the other woman. “You were perfectly clear so allow me to be just as clear. You seem to have forgotten I said this earlier in the bedroom so here it is again, it’s not happening, Ovoly. You can be as pissed off as you want to be but hell will freeze over before I tell Berrr I want him to fuck you.” Ovoly got to her feet and so did one of the other women Shanna had no name for.

Tensing, Shanna kept her attention on all of them, making sure that no one got out of her sight to get behind her.

“What are you going to do? If you touch me Berrr will have your ass and not in the sexy way you want. If you think I’m going to let you make my life a living hell without telling him what you’re doing then rethink that notion. I’m not stupid and I will tell him in a heartbeat. We both know who he is going to be pissed off at and it won’t be me.”

“I don’t understand some of what you said but know this, human,” Ovoly growled softly. “You will never rule this house. I can do anything to you and five others will swear you are not being truthful and that you are an ovolion.”